‘Help Before it Hits’: Community Members Urged to Donate Blood Ahead of Hurricane Idalia Landfall

THE CAROLINAS & GEORGIA (AUGUST 29, 2023) As we prepare for the impacts of Hurricane
Idalia, The Blood Connection (TBC) is joining preparedness efforts by sending blood products to hospital
partners in the storm’s path. TBC began preparing those blood products as early as Sunday as the orders
came in and as of today, the Governors of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have all declared a
state of emergency. TBC is responding quickly to get blood to hospital partners in these areas before the
impacts of the storm causes travel issues.

The storm is already affecting the local blood supply. Hospitals are stocking up ahead of Hurricane Idalia
and the community is urged to replenish the supply now, to ensure lifesaving blood products are available
when hospitals, or blood centers call. TBC is experiencing blood drive cancellations across its service
areas, as Hurricane Idalia is expected to bring high winds and heavy rain. The expected storm damage and
power outages could lead to a disruption of the local blood supply, as donation centers are not able to
operate, and many people are not able to travel to donate blood. During weather emergencies,
bloodmobiles cannot travel when winds are sustained at a certain speed and heavy rain could cause travel
issues for TBC staff and donors.

As a member of The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), TBC is currently on-call to send blood
units to partner blood centers, should this natural disaster or other emergencies require additional blood
products. “The Blood Connection is no stranger to helping our neighbors in need,” said Heather Moulder,
Director of Communications & Public Relations for The Blood Connection. “Though BERC has not yet
been activated we’re asking our community to share in the response effort and help before the storm hits.
We can’t help if we’re not prepared, and it’s the blood on the shelves that saves lives.”

TBC supplies blood to more than 120 hospital partners across the Carolinas and Georgia. TBC operates
15 donation centers and deploys more than 50 blood mobiles daily, to make blood donation comfortable
and convenient for those who answer the call.

To find a center or mobile donation opportunity nearby, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate.